HC Deb 23 November 1948 vol 458 cc1064-6
28. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the housing programme for Scotland for 1949.

Mr. Woodburn

We estimate that the building trade will maintain a completion rate of 20,000 permanent houses per year although we feel that this might be improved upon if conditions throughout the year are favourable. In order that the maximum number of houses should be completed in the year, it is essential that the programme should be brought into balance. Strict control will therefore still have to be exercised over the approval of new tenders to avoid the dissipation of building force labour over too many houses. The starting of new houses will, however, continue to be authorised for priority cases such as agricultural workers, miners and key workers and for certain other exceptional needs.

Mr. Willis

In view of the fact that the programme appears to be lower than this year's programme, will my right hon. Friend use his persuasive powers with his colleagues in the Cabinet to persuade them that Scotland really needs some degree of preference to meet its very urgent needs?

Mr. Bossom

Could the Minister say how many people are waiting for houses in Scotland, having lodged requests with the local authorities?

Mr. Woodburn

It is estimated that nearly 500,000 houses are needed to satisfy all the various needs in Scotland. I believe that there is some misunderstanding on the part of my hon. Friend the Member for North Edinburgh (Mr. Willis). The Question I replied to was in regard to permanent houses. The 20,000 are permanent houses. The number this year includes a large number of temporary houses.

Mr. Gallacher

Is not the plywood which is coming from Russia likely to be of very great help in housing? Will the right hon. Gentleman see that Scotland gets its fair share of it?

Mr. Woodburn

We have not yet been able to build plywood houses in Scotland, but any kind of wood that comes into this country is welcome if it is useful for houses.

Lieut.-Commander Hutchison

Will the right hon. Gentleman give particular attention to the position in Edinburgh, where the Corporation are authorised only to build 200 houses next year?

Mr. Woodburn

The City of Edinburgh have many houses yet to finish of those which have been started.

Commander Galbraith

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his answer will give profound dissatisfaction to Scotland? Will he say whether shortage of materials is the limiting factor?

Mr. Woodburn

I am sorry if my answer was not clear. I said that we estimated that the building trade would be able to maintain a completion rate of 20,000 permanent houses. It is the capacity of the building trade that is in question and not the materials.

Commander Galbraith

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman says that there is no shortage of materials whatever and that the limitation is the limitation of the building trade?

Hon. Members

Answer.